Smith seen on crutches after injury as England played an uncapped ace against Italy
MARCUS SMITH added to England's injury nightmare by limping out of training – just five days before their Six Nations opener with Italy.
The fly-half arrived back at the team hotel on crutches and was immediately taken to a local hospital for a scan. England are expected to provide an update on his injury today.
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The 24-year-old Smith was favorite to start Saturday's deadlock against the Italians, with George Ford having knee problems and Northampton's Finn Smith uncapped.
Attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said: “If he isn't fit it would certainly be a blow for us.
“It wasn't a major incident, so I hoped it wasn't much.
“He was just jogging, it was never extensive, but he stopped and happened to be standing right next to a physio when he did it on the sidelines, so they just walked away after that.”
With Owen Farrell off-limits, Harlequins star Smith had the chance to get the number 10 shirt with a decent run of games.
Ford trained yesterday but has recently had an injection in his knee, meaning Saints' Smith, just 21, could be used against the Italians this weekend.
He fronted the show at Northampton's recently Champions Cup won away at Munster and still put pressure on his namesake.
Wigglesworth added: “He's a very impressive young man in terms of how he has good opinions on the attack, good solutions for people – 'I'd like you to do this, are we thinking about this?'. He's proactive and all that offering.
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“He's had a really good start and is impressive.
“After meeting him and training with him for a few weeks at the World Cup training camp, that's what I remember about him. He has developed again and is playing very well.
“Fin is one of those characters who really wants to improve. He has a winning mentality, a winning edge.
“I'm really pleased that he has taken the team forward at Northampton and made a big difference to them.”
Ford played in Sale's Champions Cup defeat to La Rochelle ten days ago, but gave up kicking duties in the match when his knee bothered him.
Wigglesworth stressed: “It is fully operational. It was that little bit of knee pain that completely affected his kicking at the end.
“He's done a lot of work with Kevin Sinfield and he's missed one all week.”
Ollie Lawrence, George Martin, Anthony Watson, Jack van Poortvliet, Tom Curry, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Manu Tuilagi are all on the injured list.
But center Lawrence, lock Martin and hooker Cowan-Dickie could be in contention for the match against Wales on February 10.
Meanwhile, Exeter center Henry Slade, back in favor after his World Cup snub, revealed how he convinced Cardiff-born winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to choose England over Wales.
The flying youngster is eligible for both countries but Slade sent him to England under the nose of the Wales captain, who plays for Chiefs.
Slade said: “After we played Bristol he had a chat with me about England, and Dafydd Jenkins spoke to him about Wales – and Joe Hawkins got a picture of it. It sounds like I won that argument.”